As believers, it’s easy to think of heaven as something far off—some distant place we will reach when our earthly journey is over. But the truth is, heaven is not just a future promise; it’s our true home, and right now, through the Holy Spirit, we have the power to experience it here and now. The Kingdom of God—the city of God—is already accessible to us. And the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us, is our guide to experiencing the richness of that Kingdom every day.
In this blog, we will explore the Kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit as the Governor of God’s heavenly territory, and how we can experience heaven on earth through our connection with Him. Through the Holy Spirit, we not only gain insight into the city of God—we can actually live in it, now, on earth.
Let’s dive into some Scriptures that describe heaven and the Kingdom of God, showing you the riches and joys you can experience today through the Holy Spirit.
1. Heaven: A New Heaven, New Earth, and a Glorious City (Revelation 21:1-2, 21:10-21)
In Revelation 21:1-2, the Apostle John describes the glorious new heaven and earth that are prepared for believers:
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
Imagine that! A new heaven and earth, free from decay, pain, or death, where the holy city, the New Jerusalem, comes down out of heaven, shining with purity and beauty. This is the home we are destined for—a city designed by God, built for His people.
- Streets of Gold: In Revelation 21:21, we are told, “The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” Can you picture walking down a street made of pure gold—so beautiful and brilliant that it looks like glass?
- Gates of Pearls and Precious Stones: The city is adorned with gates made of pearls and foundations of precious stones (Revelation 21:19-21). These vivid images paint a picture of unimaginable beauty and grandeur, reserved for those who are in Christ.
This is not a distant dream—you, as a believer, are part of this holy city. As an ambassador of God’s Kingdom, you are connected to this eternal place, filled with beauty, light, and perfect peace.
2. The River of Life and the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:1-2)
In Revelation 22:1-2, John describes the river of life that flows from the throne of God, bringing eternal nourishment to all who drink from it.
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb."
Imagine a river so pure and beautiful, bringing life to all who are thirsty. And along this river stands the Tree of Life, whose fruit provides eternal nourishment, and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2). This is God’s provision for His people—forever abundant, unending, and available to you now.
Through the Holy Spirit, we can begin to experience the fullness of life that will flow eternally in heaven. The same Spirit that empowers us now is the river of life that gives us sustaining joy and peace here on earth.
3. No More Pain, No More Tears (Revelation 21:4)
In Revelation 21:4, we receive the wonderful promise:
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Imagine living in a place where there is no mourning, no tears, no pain. A place where suffering is gone forever, replaced by joy, peace, and perfect health. This is your inheritance as a child of God. Heaven will be a place of eternal rest and renewal, and through the Holy Spirit, we can increase our experience of this peace now as we increasingly rely on God’s presence in our lives.
4. Our Heavenly Citizenship (Philippians 3:20)
In Philippians 3:20, Paul reminds us:
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
As believers, our citizenship is not primarily tied to the earth, but to heaven. This is our true home, and as citizens of heaven, we have access to the riches and pleasures of the Kingdom of God. We are ambassadors—representatives of God’s Kingdom on earth—entrusted with the joy, peace, and authority that comes from being citizens of heaven.
5. The City Designed by God (Hebrews 11:10)
In Hebrews 11:10, we are reminded that the city we are longing for is designed and built by God:
"For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."
The New Jerusalem, where believers will dwell forever, is God’s masterpiece. It’s perfect, eternal, and created for us to enjoy. Heaven is not just a place of rest; it is a place of unimaginable beauty and fulfillment—a place where God has prepared an inheritance for His children. And this is your inheritance, available to you now through Christ.
6. Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus speaks of laying up treasures in heaven:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Worldly treasures are fleeting. They can break down, wear out, or be stolen. But the treasures that await us in heaven are eternal—they are secure, and no thief can take them away. These treasures represent the abundant life and eternal pleasures we have access to now and in the life to come. The pleasures of the Holy Spirit are a foretaste of the eternal joy we will experience in heaven.
Conclusion: Your Heavenly Home and Inheritance is Already Available
In Part 1 of this blog, we’ve explored vivid scriptures that describe heaven—our true home—and the joy, peace, and riches of the Kingdom of God that await us. But the beauty of these promises is that, as believers, we don’t have to wait for heaven to experience them. Through our connection to the Holy Spirit, we already have access to the eternal pleasures of God’s Kingdom now.
As ambassadors of this Kingdom, we are living representatives of heaven on earth. The Holy Spirit is the key that unlocks the realities of heaven to us. The more we tune into His presence, the more we can experience the riches of God’s Kingdom—peace, joy, righteousness, and eternal life—right now.
In Part 2, we will dive deeper into how to experience these eternal pleasures, living as citizens of heaven while on earth, and how the Holy Spirit is the Governor of God’s heavenly Kingdom here and now. Stay tuned to learn how to fully embrace your heavenly inheritance through the presence of the Holy Spirit!
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